Praetorian Guard Sells the Roman Throne: Highest Bidder Becomes Emperor
The Roman throne went to the highest bidder. After murdering Emperor Pertinax in March 193, the Praetorian Guards literally auctioned off the empire from their barracks walls, with two senators shouting competing bids. Didius Julianus won at 25,000 sesterces per guard—roughly five years' salary each. He ruled for exactly 66 days before being executed. The guards who'd made him emperor didn't lift a finger to save him. Turns out you can't buy loyalty, only a transaction.
March 28, 193
1833 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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